The Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, on Monday, declared open the third edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT), noting that the annual competition is the only pre-season women’s tournament in Africa recognised by world football governing body, FIFA.
The third edition of the tournament with the theme, “End Gender-Based Violence,” is holding in Benin City, the Edo State capital, between Monday, October 23 and Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
Thirteen teams from the Nigerian Women’s Football League (NWFL) are battling for the N60 million aggregate prize for the tournament in four sports facilities in the state, including the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, University of Benin Sports Complex, Western Boys Mini-Stadium and the Edo State College of Nursing and Health Sciences Mini-Stadium.
The winner of the tournament is expected to go home with N7 million, while the second, third and fourth positions will bag N5 million, N3 million, and N1.5 million respectively. The other nine participating teams will get N750, 000 each, among other consolation prizes.
Declaring the tournament open amid pomp and pageantry at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Mrs. Obaseki charged the 13 participating teams in the spirit of sportsmanship.
She noted that the competition is the foremost pre-season tournament of Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) featuring top women football clubs across the country.
Mrs. Obaseki said, “This tournament is recognised by FIFA and happens to be the only one in Africa. Every year, as we organise the competition, we seek to address social vices affecting the girl-child.
“The first year, we fought against human trafficking, the second edition it was against drug abuse and this third edition we are fighting to stop gender-based violence.”
She added, “We thank you all for taking time to join us at this tournament. We have a whole week for the tournament which will come to an end by the 31st of this month. On the last day of the tournament, we would be having a seminar where experts will be invited to talk to the girls on gender based violence.
“I declare the third edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) open in Benin City, Edo State.”
Other guests at the event include the Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq., the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku and other members of the State House of Assembly, Commissioners and other top government functionaries.